Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS
 More than 140 speakers and over 110 posters were presented at the recent PHC Research Conference in Darwin. Delegates, many of whom were visiting Darwin for the first time, were actively involved in the presentations, workshops, symposia, meetings and discussions throughout the three days. Networking was once again a key feature – during the breaks, around the lunch tables and throughout the poster reception, as well as the well-supported dinners.
Dr Jim Primrose, Chief Advisor in Primary Health Care for New Zealand Ministry of Health outlined how their Primary Health Care Strategy is improving the delivery of primary health care services and reducing pressure on the hospital system in New Zealand.
Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs from New Zealand, presented the challenges faced by primary health care practitioners in the Pacific Region. These ranged from a shortage of skilled health care workers, outdated information systems and infrastructures, to unreliable drug and medical supplies and inconsistent policy and regulatory frameworks across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. He invited the audience to extend their research into this region.
Dr Stephen Campbell, Senior Research Fellow at University of Manchester, spoke about his role and experience in a pay-for-performance scheme introduced by the UK government in 2004 for general practices to generate revenue. Dr Campbell presented the potential highlights and pitfalls of introducing a similar scheme to Australia, as identified from the experiences of other countries.
Delegates also heard how Associate Professor Noel Hayman, Clinical Director of the Inala Indigenous Health Authority (IIHA), used community consultation and participation with the Indigenous population that resulted in a vast improvement in indigenous access to the service – from 12 patients in 1995 to 4 500 patients in 2010. Simply amazing.
Planning is already underway for the 2011 PHC Research Conference to be held from 13-15 July in Brisbane. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Photos from the Conference are now available to view on-line.
AAAPC Distinguished Papers
Ross Bailie, Charles Darwin University & Damin Si, University of Queensland - Improving quality of preventive care for well adults in Indigenous community health centres.
Jon Emery, University of Western Australia - Testing an innovative tool to diagnose melanoma in primary care.
AAAPC Best First Time Presenter
John Widdup, University of NSW - Universal Health Home Visiting: evaluating access and equity.
PHC RIS Best Poster
Jenni Devine, Greater Southern Area Health Service NSW - User satisfaction and experience with a telemedicine service for diabetic foot disease in an Australian rural community.
Australian Journal of Primary Health Prize for best research paper or symposium relevant to the interest of the journal.
Christopher Paul Burgess, Menzies School of Health Research NT - The contribution of the Adult Health Check to preventive care in a remote Aboriginal primary care service.
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